Cooper

Jan 23

Chapter 19

It is a bit old fashioned.

The Wilder’s home on Maupas Avenue had a sleeping porch. It ran the back length of the upstairs. It was positioned to capture the northern nightly breeze. The house had been updated and insulated so that the air conditioning would run more efficiently. However, on occasion the family would take advantage of the balmy nights of late September and sleep on the porch.

Addy Wilder would recall sweet stories from her grandfather Peter Wilder and the sleeping porch.

After supper, the then four-year-old Peter would help his mother clear the supper dishes. He was always so careful to handle them gingerly. It was always a guilty treat to take an extra green bean with his mom’s Vidalia Onion dressing from the bowl when he did. His mother always knew and pretended not to notice the harmless infraction.

Peter was not alone in his household chores. He had a faithful companion. His name was Cooper.

Cooper was a lopped ear speckled mutt that followed him home one day. He had decided the little boy was to be his human. And so, it was.

Peter and Cooper would fill their days outside. They played fetch, tag and ate their lunches under the old apple tree in the back yard. Peter would always share part of his sandwich. Life was very good, and life was very simple. Often, they would join the other neighborhood boys for adventures around the neighboring streets.

The only time Cooper was not excited to be with his boy was Peter’s bath time. Now, it did not stop him from being in the room with him, but it did remind him of the baths he would receive.

Although, Cooper was good natured about his bath it was not his favorite thing. His boy would fill a tin washtub with cold water from the outside faucet, pick him up and put him in. The cold water made him shiver, but with the Savannah summer heat, it always turned out to be a relief. Next came the bar of Ivory Soap. Peter would lather it in. After the rinse off, came the white smelly flea powder. He knew the boy would never do anything to harm him, but really? It smelled so bad.

However, the major advantage to Cooper’s baths was that Peter’s mother allowed him to sleep in the house.

Eight o’clock was Peter and Cooper’s bedtime. During the warm weather, they slept out on the porch. Although, the sun would still be out, they did not mind. They would be worn out by the day’s activities. Often, they porch would be used until mid-November before the temperatures began to become too cool.

Nighttime on the porch was magical to the young boy. The ceiling fans made a soft and constant hum. The crickets and the frogs sang their nocturnal songs. The wonderful aromas of the late summer came into play. Peter could smell the freshly cut grass and the late blooming jasmine.

He would snuggle into bed and Cooper would lie on the floor beside him. Peter’s parents would come up and tuck him in. They would read him a bedtime story (his favorite was the Velveteen Rabbit). They would listen to his prayers and kiss him goodnight. Cooper would get a pat on the head and was instructed to look after his boy.

As soon as his parents left the porch, Cooper would climb into bed Peter's bed and they would both dream of the next day’s adventures.

Joe Green Beans

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ lbs of Snipped Green Beans
3/4 c. Chopped fresh Basil
1 ½ c. Green Onions Chopped thin, use white and green part
3/4 c. Grated Parmesan Cheese
3/4 c. Southern Conserve Sweet Vidalia Onion Peppercorn Dressing
Salt and Pepper to Taste

DIRECTIONS

Par boil string beans in medium pot of water, add 1 teaspoon baking soda (keeps string bright and green) boil till string beans are not quite cooked through (al-dente) Let beans cool. In a large bowl combine string beans with the rest to the ingredients and mix well. Serve room temperature.

Use a fork or eat them like French fries!